Isabelle Swanepoel Private Practice

Are you too afraid to get your car serviced?
Peta Elizabeth Odendaal

Generally you would answer ‘no’ to this question. Unless you were short of money or did not care. Most likely, as a result, of the investment you would make a plan. Your car would be looked at, before going on a trip or, when you noticed something was wrong. Not so?

So why in your journey of life are you too scared to consult a ‘mechanic’ of the mind? Psychological therapy is about going for that tune up or minor service or on occasion a major overhaul. Unfortunately you cannot get your engine replaced but you can have it as a work-in-progress.

The reason why you do not go, is the stigma of being labeled as ‘flaky’, ‘nervous’, ‘unreliable’.

‘She/he has a problem you know’ - wink, wink, nudge, nudge.

What a load of hogwash. People who seek the services of a psychologist are brave and willing to admit they have a problem they cannot deal with and are prepared to face and deal with them. They face the problem head on and, no matter what, prepared to recover wellness as their right as human beings. In the process remember the problems are yours and as the patient you have to face and deal with these problems to recover your right. Your psychologist is there to objectively guide you through the labyrinth of your mind and experience.

I have been fortunate to have been guided to the right ‘mind mechanics’ during my life, who have been entirely appropriate for my needs at that time. Therapy has been long-term, for several years, or short-term, 3 sessions – to clarify and deal with a particular problem. I am not a flake, not insane, but probably the most normal person I know on my journey from kit-car to Rolls Royce.

HPCSA Member N°: 0075345
Practice N°: 00860000094048